Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 261
Chapter Title: The Clan Leaders' Summit
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Melody Pavilion.
It formed the backbone of the Yagul Clan's tavern business and had grown into one of their largest sources of revenue, supporting the entire family.
The venue thrived by differentiating itself from competitors, boasting courtesans who were all exceptionally skilled musicians.
Yet lately...
"...Haa."
The pavilion's mistress, Yagul Okryeon, could only let out a sigh.
Nine out of ten customers who used to flock here had vanished like dust.
It had started right after Cheon Sumyeong stepped to the forefront of the Cheon Clan.
They were undoubtedly avoiding any potential trouble.
As a high-end tavern nestled within the inner castle, its patrons were mostly wealthy or influential high-ranking demonic cultivators.
They were hypersensitive to shifts in the cult's internal atmosphere and quicker than anyone to align with the prevailing winds.
And now, a massive wave named Cheon Sumyeong had crashed across the entire Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Out of deference to the Cheon Clan, they had cut ties with the Yagul Clan's taverns, which were linked to Hyeok Mulin.
That wasn't the end of their troubles.
Even sourcing the various premium liquors sold at the taverns had become difficult.
Merchants handling liquor distribution were bowing to Cheon Clan pressure and slowly severing deals with the Yagul Clan.
No one knew it at the time, but the Cheon Clan's influence had spread like a spiderweb across the entire Divine Province.
Of course, Yagul Hyeon, the Yagul Clan patriarch, was aware of the situation and hadn't reprimanded her for it.
Still, Yagul Okryeon felt a profound sense of emptiness and helplessness at her inability to change things, no matter what she did as mistress.
But...
"No more time for sighs."
She had no luxury for worry today.
It was one of the most crucial days since the pavilion opened—counting on one hand.
The most nerve-wracking had been hosting the Cult Leader himself, so this was probably only the second or third time.
"Ensure there's not the slightest shortfall in our service."
"Yes!"
Today, Melody Pavilion had closed its doors to all regular guests.
The courtesans had been dismissed too, save for a few to serve the food.
After all, their performances wouldn't be needed.
Only a select few veterans remained to tighten internal security.
"Bring out every fine liquor we have on display."
These were reserves they'd held back despite dwindling stocks.
Precisely for hosting VIPs like today's guests.
Thus prepared to perfection, Yagul Okryeon waited respectfully at the entrance.
Moments later, the doors opened, revealing the figure she'd been awaiting.
Yagul Hyeon entered Melody Pavilion and spoke upon seeing her weary, anxious face.
"You've worked hard."
"Patriarch..."
His encouragement nearly brought tears to her eyes; she squeezed them shut to hold them back.
A flood of indescribable emotions surged, but she quickly composed herself and fulfilled her duty.
"This way, please."
The top floor, private chamber.
Opening the door revealed a long table laden with steaming delicacies.
Yagul Hyeon took a suitable seat, and Yagul Okryeon bowed before exiting and closing the door.
Now alone, he glanced at the empty seats and muttered,
"Am I the first, as expected?"
Having arrived early with time to spare, since the meeting was hosted here.
Eyeing the fine liquors like Hundred Flower Brew on the table, he could tell she'd poured immense effort into this.
'Well, it couldn't be helped.'
It was a gathering of the Seven Great Demon Clans' patriarchs, after all.
For the mistress, hosting such a vital summit amid tough times must have been an enormous burden.
Yet she'd done her utmost, and Yagul Hyeon found nothing lacking.
As he surveyed the room...
Creak—
The door opened, and Hyeok Gongun appeared.
"You've arrived."
"Second one here."
Hyeok Gongun plopped down nearby with a thud.
Dark shadows under his eyes suggested heavy fatigue lately.
And both men knew the reason without words.
Hoo.
Exhaling, Hyeok Gongun scanned the empty seats.
"Time's almost up, but seats are still vacant."
He'd never held high hopes for this Seven Great Demon Clans summit anyway.
He'd half-expected this turnout.
Yagul Hyeon had sent invitations to all patriarchs.
Only three responses came.
One from Hyeok Gongun, and one declination from Sima Geuk.
"The Sima patriarch sent his regrets in advance."
"He's swamped, no doubt. With chaos across Divine Province, whirlwinds must be raging inside the cult too."
"At least it's not just us. Someone I never thought would show sent a positive reply."
"No way..."
Creak—
Their gazes snapped to the door.
Hyeok Gongun's eyes widened at the figure there.
"Lone Valley patriarch!"
"Come in."
The Lone Valley Clan, which never showed for outside matters, had appeared.
Dokgo Wi took a seat in the corner away from them and offered curt words.
"It's been a while."
His arrival brought joy to Hyeok Gongun but amplified his worries.
For the clan that lurked in the shadows to surface meant the crisis was dire.
Yet his presence was a huge boost.
Yagul Hyeon and Hyeok Gongun exchanged nods.
"Is that everyone?"
Yagul Clan, Hyeok Clan, Lone Valley Clan present.
Sima Clan absent.
Gu Clan and Cheon Clan obviously not coming, leaving only the Man Clan.
Recalling Man Ho, they shook their heads.
"He does the opposite of expectations, so no need to—"
Bam!
Before the words finished, the door flew open with a shattering impact.
A hulking figure stood there.
"Everyone's gathered."
"Man patriarch...!"
Bam!
Man Ho slammed the door shut after glancing inside, then strode to the center and sat.
With the unexpected arrival of Man Ho last, Hyeok Gongun spoke.
"Seems all who're coming have arrived."
Yagul Hyeon nodded and addressed the patriarchs.
"Thank you for attending this emergency summit despite your schedules."
Four out of seven patriarchs was extraordinarily rare.
In less urgent times, Man Ho and Dokgo Wi wouldn't have shown.
"Shall we have a light drink before diving in?"
Yagul Hyeon lifted a bottle, but Hyeok Gongun and Dokgo Wi subtly declined.
Even Man Ho ignored it.
Confirming their resolve, Yagul Hyeon nodded.
"Then let us begin the Seven Great Demon Clans emergency summit."
None had foreseen the clans reconvening like this.
Ironically, the summit Hyeok Mulin had disbanded was reconvened because of him.
"How fares everyone?"
Hyeok Gongun sighed at Yagul Hyeon's question.
"No need to say it. Revenue to the main house has halved—nay, quartered."
The Hyeok Clan had been soaring out of hardship when its momentum halted, plunging it into dire straits.
Yagul Hyeon turned to Dokgo Wi after hearing this; he silently shook his head.
Meaning the same plight.
Confirmed, Yagul Hyeon asked Man Ho.
"And the Man Clan?"
"Wails everywhere. We're coping as best we can, but no big gains."
The Man Clan was no different.
Separate from the Hyeok Clan's direct pressure as Hyeok Mulin's family, they had publicly backed him.
In truth, Man Ho held immense pride in his clan and openly claimed they rivaled the Cheon Clan.
Yet...
'Who'd have thought the Sword Sovereign wielded such influence.'
Man Ho realized he'd overlooked two things.
One, Cheon Sumyeong, the retired supreme patriarch, could return to the fore.
Two, the power of the title "Ancient Martial Sovereign" after his long seclusion.
He hadn't accounted for either.
Thus, when Cheon Sumyeong reemerged, Divine Province's currents shifted toward him before anyone could react.
"In summary, every clan is in turmoil without exception."
All patriarchs here knew why the Cheon Clan targeted them.
And why those currying favor with the Cheon Clan cut ties.
The Heavenly Demon, Hyeok Mulin.
They'd grasped his extended hand despite the bitter enmity with the Cheon Clan.
In short, to align with the Cheon Clan, they'd severed the Hyeok Mulin line.
This all-around pressure was devastating even for the mighty Seven Great Demon Clans.
A blow too severe to endure passively.
And the simplest solution to the crisis...
"We grab the Cheon Clan line ourselves."
Silence fell after Yagul Hyeon's words.
Thoughts raced among them in that brief quiet.
The conclusion...
"Impossible."
All agreed.
Man Ho spoke first, simply.
"The cult under the Cheon Clan doesn't stir my blood."
Hyeok Mulin's Heavenly Demon Divine Cult brimmed with promise.
The Cheon Clan's version offered none—that was his heart.
Others held firm for their own reasons, unyielding in support of Hyeok Mulin.
"I see."
Yagul Hyeon nodded at their resolve.
Only one path remained: back and bolster Hyeok Mulin against the Cheon Clan.
Not just one clan, but possibly invoking catastrophe by opposing the Ancient Martial Sovereign.
Yet none backed out.
Their will had been steadfast from the start.
"Direction set."
"Now the key: how to counter them effectively."
Silence enveloped them.
No matter how they pondered, no place in Divine Province escaped Cheon Sumyeong's shadow came to mind.
With everything under Cheon Clan control, finding an opening was nigh impossible.
In the heavy quiet, Dokgo Wi—who'd stayed silent—finally spoke.
"There is one place."
"Really?"
"Where?"
All three turned to him.
Under their gazes, he spoke gravely.
"The Shadow Realm."
That was their sole breakthrough.
Amid the massive storm raging outside, Hyeok Mulin at its center continued his routine as always.
Today was no different.
He practiced swordsmanship in Heavenly Martial Hall.
Not a trace of anxiety or doubt marred his bladework.
Finishing calmly, he sheathed his sword and caught his breath.
As he reviewed his recent technique for improvements...
Knock knock.
A faint sound from the entrance, followed by Jang Wi's voice.
"Cult Leader. Urgent report from Secret Affairs Hall."
"I see. Wait a moment."
Yet Hyeok Mulin showed no surprise at "urgent."
As if he'd anticipated it.
Wrapping up, he approached and opened the door.
There stood Jang Wi guarding, and a Secret Affairs Hall agent panting as if he'd sprinted a marathon.
Gasping, the agent bowed upon seeing Hyeok Mulin.
"Hail the exalted Cult Leader!"
"What brings you?"
"Urgent news. Combat has broken out within the cult!"
"Combat, you say..."
Internal fighting—not against righteous sects or outsiders, but demonic kin drawing blades on each other.
Hyeok Mulin paused briefly before asking,
"Who are the parties?"
The agent swiftly replied,
"The Cheon Clan, and..."
Recalling them, his face twisted in shock as he swallowed hard.
No one could've imagined these two clashing.
Shaking off dizziness, he forced out the end.
"The Lone Valley Clan!"